Plamookaptt co



H. G. DEBNAM.

ROTARY INTERNAL comauslon ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.|1.I9|1.

l ,308,339. Patented July 1, 1919.

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pM/.M @7% WM/Am "Il DDLUMIIA "AIM-APH B0.. 'Alim C- H. s. DEBNAM. ROTARY INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. l1. |911.

Patented July 1, 1919.

0 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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H. G. DEBNAIVI.

ROTARY INTERNAL COMBUSTIUN ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. II. |917- Patented July 1, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

imam Tim cnLuMmA PLANOGRAPH co., WASHINUTDN. n. E.

H. G. DEBNAM.

ROTARY INTERNAL COMBUSIION ENGINE. Amm/umn nun Aram. 1an;

1,308,339. I Patented July l, 1919.

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HENRY GEORGE DEBNAM, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

ROTARY INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 1, 1919.

Application filed April 11, `917. Serial No. 161,314.

To all 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, HENRY GEORGE DEB- NAM, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at 14 and 15 Atherstone Mews, Cromwell road, London, S. W., England, have invented new and useful Improvements in Rotary Internal-Combustion Engines, 0f which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in rotary internal c-ombustion engines.

According to this invention a drum is mounted upon a shaft and carries a number of pistons which are caused to move radially and project from the periphery of the drum by a cam path into which projections from the pistons enter. A casing or cover surrounds the drum and is shaped similarly to the cam path so that the heads of the pistons are always in contact with the casing. Each piston is preferably hollow and is divided into two chambers. On one side of each piston are two ports which, when the piston is in its eXtreme outward position` register with orts in a passage in the drum connected to t e gas supply and so allow the explosive charge to enter one chamber of the piston and to pass to the combustion chamber.

The shaft upon which the drum is mounted is hollow and passages are provided leading from it to the passages in the drum connecting with the gas supply, and the throttle valve is preferably situated inside the shaft.

The inner ends of the majority of the pistons are used for pumping and compressing the gas, while the remainder are employed for drawing oil from an oil reservoir.

In some cases a number of similar drums carrying pistons are mounted Side by side upon a shaft.

The accompanying drawings show apparatus made in accordance with this invention.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of the en 'ne Fig. 2 is a vertical section of one of the pistons.

Fig. 3 is a section of a piston at right angles to Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4, Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5, Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of one of the pistons of the air compressor, and Fig. 7 is a vertical section of one ot the pistons of this compressor which is used for distributing pil.

Fig. 8 is a section of a block in the hollow shaf Eig. 9 is a transverse section partly in elevation of the drum. Figs. 10 and 11 are ver* tical and horizontal sections of the same, they hollow shaft being omitted.

Figt 12 is a transverse section partly in elevation of the casing and part of the drum.

Eig. 13 is a vertical section partly in elevation of the casing.

Fig. 14 shows a cylinder in which the piston which pumps the oil works.

Fig. 15 shows a method of igniting thc charge. i

Fig. 1'6 is a section and Fig. 17 is a section on the line 17-17, Fig. 16, of a distributing valve.

Fig. 18 shows an oil valve.

A drinn is mounted upon a hollow shaft 2 and carries pistons 3 which project from the periphery of the drum 1 into a casing 4 which surrounds the outer part of the drum, while the inner part is covered by the frame of the engine. In the frame on each side oi the pistons are cam paths 5 (see Fig. 12) into which enter balls 6 (see Figs. 2 to 5 carried by the pistons 3. The inner wall (Figs. 12 and 13) of the casing 4 is similarly shaped to the cam paths 5 so that as the pistons are caused to move in and out of the drum l by the cani aths 5 their heads are always `in Acontact with the inner wall 7 of the casing 4.

Each piston 3.` as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, is hollow and is divided longitudinally into two chambers 8 and 9 by a partition 10. In each piston are two ports 11 and l2; when the piston is in its extreme outward position the port 11 registers with a port 1114 communicatin with a passage 121 which leads to the ho low shaft 2 and thence to a gas reservoir 13 through a passage 131, and allows the explosive charge to enter the chamber 8 of the piston 3 and to pass through the port 12, through another port 141, to a passage 14 in which is a nonreturn valve 15, to a combustion chamber formed between the drum 1, the casing 4 and the part of the piston 3 protruding from the drum. The inner end of each piston 3 works in a cylinder 16 which is in comment cation with e vaporizer 17 by ineens of a passage 1,;pin1 nihil' ,cL 1&1 qnd gi, pipe 171i; in tljelossge .i5-3i nongeturn valve 19. The annular chamber 181 comnluuir-zites by n pussgige 182 with un annular vhuinln-r Y121 in the (lrun 1' thus allowing gus io fiow to thi` lll'lun for coilllllgvllillpQSf As the piston :il nieves outwnri it ruwe gus [rpinth'p reprnizer 1T, pest the vulve 19, into the cylinder r1J; nud ou its return. motion c-xpels it from the ryhmleh. 1,6 through, a vulve 2U, und so through the hollow shaft into the ,sus reservoir, 13. 'lille reservoir 13 luis u control valve 132, which, When the pressure risesiinnthe resenvoir, cuts olf the supply 'om the vnporizer through n. rod 133 und unnnm `1311.

In thehollow shaift 2 is u throttle valve Q1 by means of which communication between the hollow shaft and the passage 121 is shut oi.

(')n the outer end of each of the pistons 3 are side plates .22 und end plates 23 which ure continually pressed outward by means of springs *Zelf und 25 respectively, so that the end of the piston makes a, close joint with the drum 1 und casing 4.

The exhaust grises pass through upertures 261 in, the inner wall and apertures 27 in the outer wallof the eesingtonn ennulerchamr bei1 2S from which they poss to the outereir.

In the engineshown? inthe drawingslthere are six pistons, iwfeof which are used for coinpness'ing gas :isnbove set out, the remain- 'ingone being used for pumpingoil from all oil reservoir 29. The cylinder 30 in which this piston works is .shown in Fig. 14. As the piston movesioutward it drews oil from the oil reservoir Q19, through pipes (not shown) and through a: non-return valve 32 und` openings 33, into the cylinder. On the inward` stroke of the piston the oil is expelled partly through a passage 35 in which is n iioiH-etui'n valve 36 to e chamber 3T in the hollow shaft, 2 situated between e block 8S und the throttle Valve 21, `sind is led through u hollow rod 39, which uotuetes the throttle velue 21, toren ltir compressor hereH innfter deseribeil. The rest ofthe oil passes out thlough, n passage 4,0 past a. non-return vulve L111 into en annular chamber L12. The minulnr chamber t2 is connected to :i passage in whieh is n spri1igeontrolled Valve lil whioh opens when the pressure is excessive und allows the oil to neturn toftihe oil resen- ,voir 29. The chamber 42 communicates .with the other pistons 3 through ports 15 und t6 `in thefoylimlens lnildtpistons 3 respeetnely. n The oil Amissing' through the ponts l5 endet?) fills the ellamhens 9 of the piStQns. Smell apertures, are formed in the wallset the pistonsthrough whieh the oil. posses tor lnbnieating purposes.

Ignitionfnmy be effected by meansof the DlBh-fntus shown in :Eig 15. ,This appalza-tus is fixed to the qesinget 471. in auch a Inquirer that appart carrying u bell 48 stands intlnnpeth olf he pistons 3. As one of the pistons puisses over the bull it compresses u spriu '19 und presses :L contact 50 ugumst :mother eoutuet 5l which is connpt'ted hy :uleiul ,52 to u` luis bur 55:1. lllhen the bull 1H is"roleused by the piston 3 it is pressed oulwurd uguiu by the spring' 19 und :as the rontzufts 1 5 und 51 iuove :ipzut zx spark lorniod [ijking the churge.

In order to :iid the sturting of the engine connection muy he mede from the four pointsfl i111 the outer casing to the geel-es- .ervoin 13fby n passage 55 leading to a` vulve 56 shown in Figs. 16 and 17; :uid thence by :rp-lissage 57. @n the spindle 58 of the valve 56 is zi sleeve 59 carrying pins (S0 which en-` gage with.` a` split plug G1, which, when n handle G2 is actuated. turns end opens or `closes communication between the two pessnges 55 aild.

In some cases liquid ifuel o1: crude oil muy he supplied to -the jzuzket 63 of the casing' -41 and vapor from the jacket is led to the ynporizer 17. Air is allowed to enter the veporizer, e mixture of air und vapor being drawn from it, hy n compressor.

TheY mode of working the engine is es fol- When'the pistons 3eme in their extreme outward position the'explosive charge iiows from the ges lreservoir 13, through the hol` ulow shaft 2, past theithrottle value 21 and through passages 121, ports 111 and 111, to thepistons-S, and out through ports 12 and 111, passage L1 end` non-return valve 15, 'into the combustion chamber formed in the ezisingbehind the `pistons 3. As thc pistons move they nire drawn inward n. smell distance by ineens of; the eem paths 5, closing the ports 12 and 11. The charges are then fired, und ns the drum 1 revolves the pistons pass over the apertures 2G and 27 leading to the annuler chamber 28, the products of combustion beingY swept into the chamber by the following pistons, which are then caused by the eem path to enter wholly into the drum.

rEhe engine es shown in Fi 1 to 18 is suitable for use with motor vehicles, inwhich euse :in nir compressor h wing pistons moved itudielly by a @ein path similarly to the en gine mounted upon the hollow shaft 2 and is controlled by the friction clutch 64. In this colnpliessonere five pistons 65 as shown in Fig. 6, :ind one piston 66 es shown in Fig. 7. The pistons 65 are em loyed for rompre-seing the stir while the piston 66 iS employed `for circulating the oil which is supplied to it, as above deserihed, ythrough the hollow rodi-'39. Air is drawn through passages 67 pest a non-return valve `68 to cylinders 69, and? on the downward stroke of the pistons 65 is expelled past e valve 70, past another valve 71, to `si compressed air :reservoir 72.. A passage 73 leads fmvm the oompnessed [air reservoir, 72ftosthe hollow shaft. ein-that sidey sii a block Mxed t0 tim hollow shaft remets imm theengime. The snmpressed air passes through` anothery block 75, whieh is shown in section iniFig. 8, and presses a piston 76 against the intiemy of n spring 77. Wheni the presslireioffein is.' cient to oafereome the spring, the parte of the elutch EA@ yame seperated; and: thus stop the dniving of the oompnessor.

The engine. may be worked as a iDiesel engine in which ease the oompressed, air is assed tothefbecks ofthe pistons as before (ascribed and `valves are provided ini the easing to. allow eftheadmissen of the oil;

Suche` valueis shown in Fi 18. In this fi une 78 is a hall ualaleto W ich` oil isi-sd'F muted-fhren@ a pipe 79. A.projectionV 8D extends intoithp path ofthe pistons B whioh depnesses a prnljeetion 81: againstithefetion o e, spnng'theneby animating a ionen 88 which meses, the ball 78 rm its Seating, allowing the. olto pass behndxthe pistQl- A dynamo may be driivemfromcthe' .disk 100 on. a shat :L01 having. aJ alley 10Q driven from. a pulleyy ,103 onthe ollpwl Shaft.

I do not herein claim the noyel tentures of the eompresson hereinbefone desenibed andfslmwin in the aeeomipanyingiidrawings.

Claims to the. novel featunes ofsaid enmpressor anei made in myv application for peten't, Serial No. 237,137, filed May 2H, 19,18, Whioh 4is a division of the application, for this.4 patent.

What I claim iss- 1.` In a notary internal combustion engine, :i easing inelesinga dnum mounted upon a slmiitend. eamii'ing a number' of pistons controlling the admission offgns-toapasse in the drum leading; to combustion cham rs, a uon-neturn valve in the passage, and a cum `path eausng each pistonto move: Ira,- ciialiy and to .enm one sideof a. combustion Chamber.`

f2. Ina Botany internnlemnhusion engine, a easing inf-closing a tisular-mounted upon e shaft and enrnying a number epistpns con hlfullingathe admissionl of. gas to. a, pessege in thedrumileading to eombustion ohamlmns,A s non-return vaine in the passage, and` continuallpr :making: Ymutant iwitlntile inner wall of the easingmand, a eem f ath similarly shaped to the innerl Wall of t e easing! Causing eanhfpistontoimoneiradialliy andfto-.fonn one sideo aoombustisn ohamben.

3. In notary intennaiieombustion engine, a casing inelosng afdrum mounted uponr a shat and eannyaingia nnmbeniu hollow pistons oontmllingA the admission of geny he, a passage imthedrnm ieadin toeomlonstion ohanihers, a' unn-neturn ve ne in the passans, ondaom path eansngieeeh. piston to move radiali. `and-to one, slijlefo a combustion e amber.

4. `In a mumy internal combustion engine, aliasing inolosiig a drum mounted upon e slmgit and ein-1min 11, number of hollow pis- LQns wntl'olling tie admission of gas to a pilisng in the drum leading to combustion eliamfheiis, n nonrneturll valve inthe passage, and continually making Contact with thel limer mail oit the easingiand a cam path similaxliz shaped tothe inner wall of the easing causing each piston to move nadislly and to form (me Side ofi a oombustion chamber.

In a notary internal' combustion engine, a casing iuplosing a, drum mounted upon a shaft and carrying :i number of pisiQIlS controlling the admission of glas to a passage in the drum leading to combustion chambers, a nomnetunn vallve in the passage, a cam path causing each piston to move 1raoliallgsI and to fomn one side of a combustion ohlmber, and means causing one of the pistous to pump gas.

6. Ima rotanyinternal combustion engine, 2i. (basing, llflosngf a` drum mounted upon a slwfit and. cai'zryinga numloer` of pistons eontroliing the admission of gas to a passage in the dnum leading to combustion chambers, a, non-netunn ual'e in the passage, and continuallyy making oontnet with the inner Well of the casing, a cam path similarly shaped t0 the inner Wall of the Casing Causing erich pstonto meneradially. and to form one side of ai eombustioniohamher, and means causing 011e ofthe pstonsitofpump: gas.

7. In a rotany internal eombustion engine, a easing. inelosingaJ dnunimounted upon a shaft. und'l eanryin ,a number of hollosiv pistons controlling; Jis ladmission oi gas to a passa ev in the drum leading to combustion @ha ers, a nonfnetumi valve in the passage` al @am piatheausing each piston to move radially and to fonm one sido of a combustion Climber, and means causing one of the pistons. to pump gas.

`8. In afroftary intennal combustion engine, sensing inolosing a finum mounted` upon a shet andearazyinga number of hollow pistons eoniniollingthe admissionr of ges to a passage inthe drum leading to. eombustion ohambens, a noni-return Yalvein the passage, and continually making eoninaot `with the inner: Wallof this, easing, a eem, path` similarly shaped to theA inner Wall of the easing causing; each piston toimove nadially and to formi 011e sideof a eombustion chamber, und meanseausing one of the pishons to pump gas.

9. In airotnny internal combustion engine, a casing nclosmg a drum mounted upon a shaft. amid carrying a, number of pistonseontxollingiithe admissionfoii `gas `to combustion ehamhs'im'a Aearn rpathfeousmg; earh `piston to mene radially andr un hmm; I one; side of a, oombustjon Ghmmbenandimenns musing one Giftlie; pignons, tm pump oil.

10. In a rotary internal eombustionzifanigine, a casing `inclosing a drum mounted upon a shaft and cariying a numbe;` of pistons controlling the admission of as to combustion chan'lbers and rontinua'ly making Contact with the inner wall of the casing, a cam path similarly shaped to the inner wall of the casing causing eafrh piston to move radially and to form one side of a cornbustion chaml'rer, and means causing one of the pistons to pump oil.

11. In a rotary internal combustion engine, a casing inclosing a1 drum mounted upon a shaft and carrying a. number of hollow pistons controlling the admission of gas to combustion chambers, a cam path causing each iston to move radially Iand to form one sid causing one of the pistons to pump oil.

12. In a rotary internal combustion onw gine, a easing inclosing a drum mounted upon a shaft and carrying a` number of hollow pistons controlling the admission of gas to combustion chambers and continually making contact with the inner wall of the casing, a cam path similarly shaped to the inner wall of the casing causing each piston to move radially and to form one side of a combustion chamber` and means causing one of the pistons to pump oil.

13. In a rotary internal combustion engine, a casing inclosing a drum mounted upon a shaft and carrying a number of hollow pistons divided into chambers, the one to receive gas and the other to receive lubricating oil for lubricating the pistons, which pistons control the admission of gas to combustion chambers, and a cam path causing each piston to move radially and toform one side of a combustion chamber.

14. In a rotary internal combustion engine, a casing inclosing a drum mounted upon a shaft and a carrying number of hollow pistons divided into chambers, the one to receive gas and the other to receive lubricating oil for lubricating the pistons, which plstons control the admission of gas to combustion chambers and continually make Contact with the inner wall of the casing, and a cam path similarly shaped to the inner wall of the casing causing each piston to move radially and to form one side of a combustion chamber.

15. In a rotary internal combustion engine, a casing inclosing a drum mounted upon a shaft and carr ing a number of hollow pistons divided into chambers, the one to receive gas and the other to receive lubricating oil, which pistons control the admission of gas to combustion chambers, a cam path causing each iston to move radially and to form one si e of a combustion chamber, means causing one of the pistons to pump gas and means causing one of the pistons to pump oil for lubricating the pis-F tone.

e of a combustion chamber, and means 16. In a rotary internal combustion engine, a casing inclosing a `drum mounted upon a shaft and carrying a number of hollow pistons divided into chambers, the one to receive gas and the other receive lu tuicatiiig oil, which pistons control the admission of gas to combustion chambers and continually make contact with the inner wall of the casing, a cam ath similarly shaped to the inner wall of t e casing causing each piston to move radially and to form one side of a combustion chamber, means causing one of the pistons to pump gas and means causing one of the pistons to pump oil for lubricating the pistons.

17 In a rotary internal combustion engine, a casing inclosing a drum mounted upon a shaft, pockets in the drum, hollow pistons in the pockets, ports in the walls of the pockets, ports in the pistons ada ted to coincide with the other ports and a low the admission of gas to combustion chambers, and a cam path causing each piston to move radially and to form one side of a combustion chamber.

18. In a .rotary internal combustion engine, a casing inclosing a drum mounted upon a shaft and carrying a number of pistons controllin the admlssion of gas to combustion chamers and adapted to be acted upon laterally by the gas pressure, and a cam path causing each piston to move radiall 19. n a rotary internal combustion engine, a casing inclosing a drum mounted upon a shaft, pockets in the drum, hollow pistons in the pockets, ports in the walls of the pockets, ports in the pistons adapted to coincide with the other ports and allow the admission of gas to combustion chambers, and a cam path similarly shaped to the inner wall of the casin causing each piston to move radially an to form one side of a combustion chamber.

20. In a rotary internal combustion engine, a casing inclosing a drum mounted upon a hollow shaft and carrying a number of pistons controlling the admission of gas to combustion chambers, a cam path causing each piston to move radially and to form one side of a combustion chamber and a throttle valve in the hollow shaft adapted to regulate the supply of gas to the engine.

21. In a rotary internal combustion engine, a casing inclosing a drum mounted upon a hollow shaft and carrying a number of pistons controlling` the admission of gas to combustion chambers, a cam path causing each piston to move radially and to form one slde of a combustion chamber, means causing one of the pistons to pum gas, and a throttle valve in the hollow sha adapted to regulate the supply of gas to the engine.

22. In a rotary internal combustion engine, a casing inclosn a drum mounted upon a hollow shaft an carrying a number of pistons controlling the admission of gas to combustion chambers, a cam path causing each piston to move radially and to form one side of a combustion chamber, means causing one of the pistons to pump oil, and a throttle valve in the hollow shaft adapted to regulate the supply of gas to the engine.

23. In a rotary internal combustion engine, a casing inclosin a drum mounted upon a hollow shaft an carrying a number of hollow pistons divided into chambers, the one to receive gas and the other to receive lubricating oil for lubricating the pistons, which pistons control the admission of gas to combustion chambers, a cam path causing each piston to move radially and to form one side of a combustion chamber, and a throttle valve in the hollow shaft adapted to regulate the supply of gas to the engine.

24. In a rotary internal combustion engine, a casing inclosing a drum mounted upon a hollow shaft, pockets in the drum, hollow pistons in the pockets, ports in the Walls of the pockets, ports in the pistons adapted to coincide with the other ports and allow the admission of gas to combustion chambers, a cam path causing each piston to move radially and to form one side of a combustion chamber, and a throttle valve in the hollow shaft adapted to regulate the supply of gas to the engine.

HENRY GEORGE DEBNAM.

Copies of thi! patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the "Gommissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

